Best 5 Lexington Style Pulled Pork For Slow Cooker Recipes
Lexington-style pulled pork is a mouthwatering dish steeped in the culinary traditions of North Carolina. Originating in the city of Lexington, this iconic dish has gained widespread popularity for its tender, smoky flavor and versatile applications. Whether you're a seasoned barbecue enthusiast or a home cook seeking a delectable meal, this dish promises an explosion of taste and texture. Discover the secrets behind this regional specialty, from the selection of pork shoulder to the preparation of the signature Lexington-style sauce. Explore our carefully curated collection of recipes, each offering unique variations on this classic dish. Indulge in the smoky goodness of slow-cooker pulled pork, the tangy delight of vinegar-based pulled pork, or the sweet and spicy harmony of a Coca-Cola pulled pork. Embark on a culinary journey to the heart of North Carolina and experience the irresistible allure of Lexington-style pulled pork.
Here are our top 5 tried and tested recipes!
LEXINGTON-STYLE PULLED PORK FOR SLOW COOKER RECIPE - (4.3/5)
Provided by nnlester
Number Of Ingredients 20
Steps:
- Combine spice rub ingredients in a small bowl. Massage entire roast with spice mixture. (Roast maybe wrapped tightly and refrigerated for up to one day. Heat 2 tsp. vegetable oil in slow cooker insert (or in a large skillet if your insert cannot go on the stove top). Add pork, turning to brown on all sides, about 5 minutes. Remove pork to a plate; whisk 3/4 cup water into drippings. If using a skillet transfer the liquid to slow cooker. Whisk together Cooking Liquid for Slow Cooker (vinegar, tomato paste, brown sugar and water). Add to slow cooker, then add pork, cover and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours. Remove the pork and transfer to a cutting board. Cover with aluminum foil and allow to cool for 30 minutes. Pull pork apart or roughly chop and put into a shallow baking dish. Mix in 1/2 cup Lexington BBQ sauce. Add several ladles of the cooking liquid and salt to taste. Cover with foil and put into a 275 degree oven for about an hour or until it is very tender. Serve remaining BBQ Sauce at the table.
LEXINGTON-STYLE PULLED PORK
From "Cook's Country by America's Test Kitchen," episode 104, "Southern Regional Recipes." This is a North Carolina style barbecue, using a vinegar-based sauce. Boston butt is the preferred cut because of the higher fat content.
Provided by DrGaellon
Categories Pork
Time 5h45m
Yield 8-10 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Combine paprika, pepper, brown sugar and salt in a small bowl, working out any clumps in the sugar with your fingers. Spread dry rub all over pork and rub in well. Allow to rest 15 minutes to 24 hours.
- Prepare charcoal grill for indirect heat (place all the coals on one side). Soak 4 cups of wood chips in water for 15-30 minutes. Place the chips on the coals. Heat the top grill with the lid on for 5 minutes. Place the pork on the top grate on the side away from the coals. Open the top air vents fully, and position them over the meat. Open the bottom air vents half- to fully-open, depending on the weather (more closed on a windy day). Leave undisturbed 2 hours.
- Transfer pork to a disposable aluminum roasting pan. Wrap with a double layer of aluminum foil. Place in a preheated 325°F oven for 2-3 hours longer, until fork-tender. Let rest covered for 30 minutes.
- Remove the fat cap and set aside on a plate. Shred the meat into a bowl, discarding any large hunks of fat or gristle. Pull off the "bark" (the dark brown "skin") from the fat cap; discard the remaining fat.
- Whisk the sauce ingredients together in a bowl. Pour 1/2 cup over the pulled pork; serve the rest on the side.
- Serve between slices of white bread, with pickle slices.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 624.2, Fat 46.2, SaturatedFat 16, Cholesterol 161.2, Sodium 2288.5, Carbohydrate 11.2, Fiber 1.1, Sugar 8.7, Protein 38.6
SLOW COOKER BBQ PULLED PORK
If you've spent any time on Pinterest or food blogs, you've likely come across a recipe for three-ingredient barbecue pulled pork that can be made in the slow cooker. Methods and ingredients vary, but the recipe almost always calls for boneless pork shoulder, some sort of dark cola (usually Dr Pepper or root beer) and barbecue sauce. Dubious? We were too, so we asked the members of our NYT Cooking Community Facebook page if anyone had ever made it and if they liked it. We received more than 150 very opinionated responses. Many readers have come up with their own clever twists, like using coffee or beer in place of cola, adding onions or chipotles, rubbing the meat with a spice blend and searing the meat before cooking. We tried cooking it a few different ways and found we liked this adaptation best. It calls for a few more ingredients and an extra step or two, but it's got layers of flavor and it's still mostly fuss-free. (You can find the pressure-cooker version of this recipe here.)
Provided by Margaux Laskey
Categories meat, sandwiches, main course
Time 10h
Yield 6 to 8 servings
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- In a small bowl, combine the garlic and onion powders, smoked paprika, salt and black pepper. Rub the spice mixture all over the pork. If you have time, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 2 hours or up to overnight. If you don't, no worries; proceed to Step 2.
- Lightly grease the crock of a slow cooker. Heat 2 tablespoons vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high. Sear the pork until golden brown on all sides, about 2 minutes each side. Add onion, if using, to the slow cooker. Add the pork on top of the onion. Pour soda over the pork and set the slow cooker to low for 6 to 8 hours, until the meat has collapsed and shreds easily.
- Drain most of the liquid from the slow cooker and shred the meat directly in the pot. Add about 1/2 cup of the barbecue sauce and stir to combine. (At this point, if you like crisp bits in your pulled pork, you can spread the shredded pork on a sheet pan and place under a broiler for a couple minutes then return to the slow cooker.) Taste and add more barbecue sauce, hot sauce, salt or pepper, if desired. Serve with soft rolls and extra sauce on the side.
CAROLINA-STYLE PORK BBQ SANDWICHES
Arguably, some of the best 'cue in the country can be found in North Carolina, where two distinct types of slow-cooked pig prevail. The first is Eastern barbecue, which is distinguished by slow-cooking a whole hog and including both the white and dark meat in chopped sandwiches and platters. Eastern 'cue boasts just a hint of vinegar and red pepper, which is added to the meat mix rather than used as a sauce. Western North Carolina 'cue (aka Lexington-style) is made from pork shoulder only. In addition to incorporating plenty of vinegar, sugar, and spices, it also mixes in a good amount of ketchup to create an actual sauce for the pork. This slow-cooker recipe falls somewhere in between.
Provided by Kendra Bailey Morris
Categories Pork Sandwich Grill/Barbecue North Carolina
Yield Serves 10 to 12 (about 8 cups of meat)
Number Of Ingredients 24
Steps:
- Make the pork:
- Spray the inside of a slow cooker with cooking spray.
- Put the onions in the slow cooker. Make slits in the pork roast and insert the garlic cloves. Rub salt, pepper, brown sugar, and red pepper flakes into the meat. Place the pork in the slow cooker fat side up and pour in the vinegar and apple cider. Cover and cook on low for at least 10 hours and up to 12 hours, until the meat is falling-apart tender.
- Transfer the meat to a large bowl and shred it with two forks. Set aside.
- Make the sauce:
- Pour 2 cups of the pan juices into a measuring cup; discard any leftover juices still in the pot. Let cool and skim off any visible fat. Pour this liquid into a saucepan. Add the water, ketchup, cider vinegar, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, chili powder, paprika, dry mustard, and red pepper flakes. Bring to a boil and simmer, uncovered, for 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Return the shredded pork to the slow cooker and add 1 cup of the sauce mixture (more if you like it wet). Give it a stir and set the slow cooker to warm until ready to serve.
- Assemble the sandwiches:
- Serve the pork straight from the slow cooker with a slotted spoon, along with buns, slaw, and hot sauce. Serve the additional sauce on the side.
SLOW COOKER CAROLINA BBQ
Miss the tarheel tradition of a pig pickin'? Then find yourself a crock pot, a big pork shoulder, some cider vinegar and get cooking! While ground and crushed red pepper will provide the basic heat - go the extra mile and find some Texas Pete (or Trappey's) pepper sauce to bring the taste of Carolina to your kitchen.
Provided by coolmonkshoes
Categories Meat and Poultry Recipes Pork Pork Shoulder Recipes
Time 12h15m
Yield 10
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Place the pork shoulder into a slow cooker and season with salt and pepper. Pour the vinegar around the pork. Cover, and cook on Low for 12 hours. Pork should easily pull apart into strands.
- Remove the pork from the slow cooker and discard any bones. Strain out the liquid, and save 2 cups. Discard any extra. Shred the pork using tongs or two forks, and return to the slow cooker. Stir the brown sugar, hot pepper sauce, cayenne pepper, and red pepper flakes into the reserved sauce. Mix into the pork in the slow cooker. Cover and keep on Low setting until serving.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 292.8 calories, Carbohydrate 3.6 g, Cholesterol 90.5 mg, Fat 17.3 g, Fiber 0.3 g, Protein 27.6 g, SaturatedFat 6.2 g, Sodium 775.5 mg, Sugar 2.9 g
Tips:
- Choose the right cut of pork: Pork shoulder (also known as pork butt) is the best cut for pulled pork because it has a good amount of fat, which helps to keep the meat moist and flavorful during the long cooking process.
- Season the pork generously: A simple rub made with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder is all you need to create a flavorful pulled pork. You can also add other spices and herbs, such as paprika, cumin, or chili powder, to taste.
- Cook the pork on low and slow: The key to tender pulled pork is to cook it on low heat for a long period of time. This allows the connective tissue in the meat to break down, resulting in a melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- Add liquid to the slow cooker: Adding a small amount of liquid to the slow cooker helps to keep the pork moist and prevents it from drying out. You can use water, broth, or even apple juice.
- Shred the pork with two forks: Once the pork is cooked, use two forks to shred it into small pieces. This makes it easier to eat and also helps to distribute the flavor throughout the meat.
Conclusion:
Lexington-style pulled pork is a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed in many different ways. Whether you serve it on a bun with barbecue sauce, or use it as a filling for tacos or burritos, pulled pork is sure to be a hit. With a little planning and preparation, you can easily make this classic dish at home in your slow cooker. So next time you're looking for an easy and flavorful meal, give Lexington-style pulled pork a try!
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